Question

A model car of mass 8.0 kg slides down a frictionless ramp into a spring with spring constant k = 5.5 kN/m .
(a) The spring experiences a maximum compression of 20 cm. Determine the height of the initial release point.
(b) Calculate the speed of the model car when the spring has been compressed 12 cm.

Answer 1

m g h = 1/2 k x^2 ... h = k x^2 / (2 m g)

h = 5.5E3 N/m * (.20 m)^2 / (2 * 8.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2) = ? m

Answer 2

forgot part (b)

m g h - (1/2 k x^2) = 1/2 m v^2 ... v^2 = [m g h - (1/2 k x^2)] * 2 / m

v^2 = [(8.0 * 9.8 * h) - (1/2 * 5.5E3 * .12^2)] * 2 / 8.0 = ? (m/s)^2